Cubs fan who got kidney from Sox fan after viral sign throws out first pitch at Wrigley Field

CHICAGO (WLS) -- On Healthcare Workers Appreciation at Wrigley Field Wednesday, the woman chosen to throw out the first pitch who is a healthcare worker had a tremendous amount of appreciation herself for the man who donated her kidney.

Bridgett Kolls posed for pictures with fellow nurses and others on the field before the Cubs game.

It was just a few years ago she was in the park hoping for a miracle. Posing in the stands with a sign saying "this lil cubbie needs a kidney."

She was 23 years old and desperate for a matching donor kidney. The picture got a lot of play on social media.

And it got the attention of Thomas Alessio, a White Sox fan from Joliet. Thomas Alessio had never met Kolls, but he was willing to help.

"If you have the ability to help someone I feel like you have a duty to do so," Alessio said.

"I'm active healthy I get to move I'm not tired all the time it's a big difference," Kolls said.

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Kolls has been living with the new kidney for the last six years. She's healthy living a full life and working as a nurse at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital while taking college classes. And she's grateful.

"It's crazy," Kolls said. "I never expected to be here. Such a wonderful moment. Here with my donor. Never thought I'd be throwing out the first pitch. Happy to be alive."

RELATED: Cross-town rivals forever linked: White Sox fan donates kidney to Cubs fan

Many of Kolls fellow nurses were there to cheer her on and celebrate.

There were about 500 people nominated to throw out the first pitch, but Kolls was the easy choice.

Her pitch makes it to the plate. It may not be a strike. But just be being here Kolls has won the game.

"It's full circle," Kolls said. "I was here with the sign, asking for the kidney... and now I'm gonna be on the field today."

Kolls is a lifelong Cubs fan. She's never been to a Sox game before but she said that's her goal for this season.